The Belgian goalkeeper recalls his distasteful departure from Stamford Bridge last summer

By Liam Llewellyn

15th May 2019, 11:20 am

Updated: 15th May 2019, 11:28 am

EX-CHELSEA goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has finally opened up on what happened during last summer's transfer window.

The Belgian international left Chelsea for Real Madrid last summer for approximately £35million in controversial circumstances.

Thibaut Courtois quit Chelsea last summer on bad terms

The 26-year-old made 154 appearances for Chelsea in a four-year stint between 2014 and 2018, winning two Premier League titles, one League Cup and one FA Cup.

In an exclusive interview with Belgium-based news outlet HLN, Courtois explained that he had very difficult negotiations concerning his departure with Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia.

He explained: 'That Marina is hard at negotiation is normal.

"The people in football who are talking about contracts, salaries, transfers, etc. that get players and dispose of them, they have the most difficult job."

He then went on to explain to the Blues director why he wanted to leave: "Only, in March Marina and I had a meeting in which I indicated that I wanted to leave.

"Living in London and the schedule of the Premier League made it impossible for me to regularly see my children, who lived in Madrid."

COURT OUT

The former Atletico keeper elaborated further when he was reassured by Granovskaia that he would find a replacement and therefore allow him to leave.

However, upon the conclusion of the World Cup, Granovskaia's stance had changed.

Courtois said: "What turned out? After the World Cup, a departure was suddenly not that obvious anymore.

"The possible replacements were too expensive. Sorry, that was not the appointment. Then you have to work hard for a moment."

Chelsea did eventually sign Kepa Arrizabalaga from Athletic Bilbao for approximately £71.6million, which is pretty expensive considering Chelsea refused to let Courtois leave due to hefty fees for goalkeepers.